Hey all. My apologies for the blog being MIA the past few days. It seems another site that shares the same server was hacked, causing the domain host to shut the server down while performing a cleanup. All good now.
I wrote this article a couple days before Sidney Crosby pretty much announced his plans to stay put and sign a new contract, which is certainly wonderful news. Although the context has shifted, the thrust of my article pretty much remains the same. With that in mind, I decided to publish it as originally written.
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I was minding my own business, kind of enjoying my new “semi-retired” status, when fellow PPer Caleb Di’Natale texted me bright ‘n’ early Saturday morning.
Seems someone had put forth the notion of dealing our UFA-to-be captain Sidney Crosby to Colorado at the 2025 trade deadline if the Pens are tanking…then re-signing him in the summer.
Naturally, the idea sparked some thoughts, which led to this article. (Hate when that happens…lol.)
I’ve gone on record as saying I’d love to see Sid consent to be traded to the Avalanche. He’d join forces with his bosom Nova Scotia buddy and fellow Horton’s trainee Nathan MacKinnon, a confluence that would surely form a dynamic Mario Lemieux–Ron Francis duo down the middle.
Not that his legacy demands it, but I’ve love for Sid to at least have an opportunity to compete for another Cup. That’s not gonna’ happen here.
At first I even pushed back on the idea of re-signing Sid if he leaves.
“If we’re going to be bad, we might as well be REALLY bad (with the goal of drafting Gavin McKenna squarely in mind),” I replied. “If we re-sign Sid, it could prevent that from happening.”
Assured by Caleb that we’ll, indeed, be that bad even with Sid, I began to warm to the idea.
You could do a whole lot worse than having the most complete player in the history of the sport setting an example for your kids, night-in and night-out. Imagine how much it would benefit youngsters like Rutger McGroarty, Tanner Howe and…if we’re incredibly fortunate…McKenna. There’s no better player to learn the big-league ropes from than our captain.
Mario once filled just such a mentor’s role for Sid during the latter’s rookie campaign.
On the flip side? Not that passion and motivation have ever been an issue for No. 87, Lord knows, but skating with a passel of young hopefuls might re-energize Crosby and extend his career.
We had a similar dynamic a few years back when Sid centered a line for up-and-comers Jake Guentzel and Conor Sheary.
Remember?
Sid ‘n’ the Kids.
Guentzel and Sheary scored at close to a point-per-game clip. Crosby paced the league with 44 goals while leading us to our second of back-to-back Cups.
If I close my eyes real tight, I can picture a 40-something but still productive Sid leading a fresh batch of kids. If we’re real lucky, maybe even to playoff glory.
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X Generation part 2
I'm torn over the idea of trading Crosby. Tactically, for the team, if he were to accept a rental trade it would certainly help with assets for the rebuild. He'd be one of the biggest rentals in NHL history, we might be surprised by the return for his services.
On the other hand, it would tarnish his reputation slightly. I see Crosby wanting the honor of being a rare modern era 1 franchise player. That's part of what makes Mario so great, even when he could have demanded a trade he chose to stay.
Hey Rick,
All 3, Sid, Geno, and Kris have all earned the right to either jump (UFA) or demand a trade to a true contender. I would love to see them all stay but they have earned that right. They have constantly thought Penguins first for nearly 2 decades. All three of those players poured out their sweat and skill to win 3 Cups in 4 appearances for this team and should have had at least 2 more finals appearances had coaches and GMs all the way back to Bylsma and Shero not muffed it.
I do understand that the majority of modern America has lost that ethic, that value of loyalty (which is reciprocal). Teams, Players, and yes we fans have become base individuals looking to throw players and teams aside for our own selfish designs, ignoring what that player or team gave up for past pleasures. So, I do see the long term merits of (in this case) the idea of trading Crosby for draft picks and or prospects.
However,
1) look at what happened to the Red Sox when the traded Ruth or the Oilers when they traded Gretzky.
2) Also, if you did trade Sid, particularly if it wasn't his idea and you had to coerce him into the trade, he may decide not to come back.
3) And even if you did trade Sid at his request with him suggesting resigning in the off season, a certain touch of the magic of Sid will be gone. Our Captain would not be OUR Captain. He will have become a mercenary plying his wares for a foreign team.
No I cannot support the idea of trading Sid for any other reason than he has decided that the team's inept decision making stripped him of more title shots with their fossil hunts.